Good morning, Franklin County. If you thought Copenhagen had cornered the market on bike-friendly cities, Columbus is pedaling into the conversation with some serious ambition. The planned 2.5-mile protected bike lane on Fourth Street isn't just another infrastructure project - it's the city's boldest statement yet about reimagining our urban landscape. Between moving bike lanes behind parked cars and improving intersection visibility, we're finally giving cyclists the VIP treatment they deserve.
Speaking of bold visions, Ohio State's latest crystal ball-gazing exercise reads like a Netflix anthology series for Columbus's future. From becoming a biotech powerhouse to weathering urban upheaval, these ten possible 2035 scenarios are generating quite the buzz - right alongside those sixteen local business leaders making waves in Columbus CEO's latest spotlight. Because in Franklin County, today's headlines are tomorrow's history books.
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🚲 Columbus plans its longest-ever protected bike lane on Fourth Street. The ambitious 2.5-mile project will transform North Fourth Street by moving the bike lane between parked cars and the curb, shielding cyclists from traffic. The redesign, funded by Ohio Department of Transportation Safety Funds, will remove 20% of street parking to improve intersection visibility. Construction is scheduled between August and October this year. The project aligns with the city's broader Bike Plus Plan, which aims to build 89 miles of protected bike lanes throughout Columbus.
🔮 Columbus imagines ten wildly different futures for itself in 2035. A professor at Ohio State University penned speculative stories exploring possible scenarios for the city, ranging from becoming a global biotech hub ("DNACity") to experiencing urban unrest and sports team departures. The stories tackle pressing issues like homelessness, cryptocurrency adoption, and even a potential secession from Ohio. Some futures paint Columbus as thriving and innovative, while others warn of decline and missed opportunities. The varied scenarios highlight both the city's potential and its vulnerabilities as it grows.
🏆 Columbus CEO magazine spotlights sixteen remarkable Central Ohio business leaders. The publication's January 2025 issue celebrates its 14th annual CEO of the Year awards, recognizing five winners and eleven finalists across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. The honorees range from Fortune 500 insurance executives to nonprofit leaders fighting human trafficking and substance abuse. The magazine also debuts its new Everyday Kindness Heroes feature, highlighting community champions. In an exciting development, Columbus CEO announces an expansion to six issues per year, promising more local business coverage and insights.
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)
In a night of nail-biters across Columbus, three games were decided by a combined five points. Canal Winchester squeaked past Dublin Scioto 61-60, Westerville Central held off rival Westerville South 40-37, and St. Charles edged Grove City 42-41 in a classic Tuesday triple-header that had scoreboard operators working overtime.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Briggs (4-18) | ||
vs Mifflin | L 64-44 | |
 Mifflin (9-12) | ||
@ Briggs | W 64-44 | |
 Upper Arlington (11-7) | ||
vs Pickerington North | L 58-47 | |
 Dublin Jerome (2-16) | ||
@ Jonathan Alder | L 43-32 | |
 Dublin Scioto (4-16) | ||
vs Canal Winchester | L 61-60 | |
 Westerville Central (8-12) | ||
vs Westerville South | W 40-37 | |
 Westerville South (7-12) | ||
@ Westerville Central | L 40-37 | |
 Grove City (5-15) | ||
@ St. Charles | L 42-41 | |
 Canal Winchester (9-11) | ||
@ Dublin Scioto | W 61-60 |
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Girls)
Dublin Jerome showed no love on this pre-Valentine's Day matchup, crushing Groveport-Madison 60-30 in a game that was about as competitive as a slam dunk contest against toddlers. The Celtics (17-4) continue their impressive run while the struggling Cruisers (2-19) are still searching for answers and, apparently, their offense.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Worthington Kilbourne (16-5) | ||
vs Hilliard Darby | W 42-33 | |
 Hilliard Darby (13-8) | ||
@ Worthington Kilbourne | L 42-33 | |
 Hilliard Davidson (3-19) | ||
@ Olentangy Liberty | L 55-29 | |
| Dublin Jerome (17-4) | ||
vs Groveport-Madison | W 60-30 | |
 New Albany (5-16) | ||
vs Hayes | L 49-46 | |
| Canal Winchester (8-14) | ||
@ Lancaster | L 49-42 (OT) |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Delightful updated Cape Cod gem: Priced at $190,000, this delightful Cape Cod is just half a mile from I-71 and features charming hardwood floors, original built-ins, and a host of recent updates, making it a perfect blend of character and modern convenience.
Stylish home with inviting features: This beautiful home is listed at $425,000 and features a cozy fireplace, a stylish kitchen with a center island, and a welcoming backyard sitting area. The primary suite offers a walk-in closet and an elegant bathroom with double sinks.
Affordable ranch with spacious living: This darling and affordable ranch is listed at $165,000 and features a spacious living room, updated mechanicals, a well-equipped kitchen, and a deep rear yard with storage sheds. The owner’s suite offers generous closet space, making it a cozy yet practical home.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
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